Posted on Apr 2, 2008

A juried exhibition of art that explores issues surrounding the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community at Union opens Monday, April 7 in the Wikoff Student Gallery in the Nott Memorial.

"LGBT: A Union Perspective” interprets such concerns as diversity, personal identity and discrimination. The works by seven students and one faculty member include photographs, linoprints, sculptures, an oil painting and a poem.

Exhibit organizers hope this first-ever show will use art as an opportunity to “encourage discussion and increase awareness and sensitivity on campus” and to offer a means for “thoughtful expression and creative interpretation of important issues,” said Schaffer Library Periodicals Assistant Angela McMichael, a designated LGBT Ally.

Allies are trained campus volunteers who offer support to members of the LGBT community.

The exhibition will coincide with the April 25 National Day of Silence, a student-led event to raise awareness of anti-LGBT harassment and promote positive change on campuses nationwide.

The show also is a chance “to celebrate our diversity,” McMichael said.

The opening reception for “LGBT: A Union Perspective” will be held in the Nott Memorial during Art Night Schenectady on April 18. The show runs through May 18.

Joining McMichael on the exhibition committee were Schaffer Library Head of Collection Development Courtney Seymour; Student Activities Assistant Director Kerrie Wolf; Schaffer Reference Librarian Bruce Connolly and Catalog Librarian John Myers; and Mandeville Gallery Director Rachel Seligman and Exhibitions Assistant Kara Jefts.  

Also involved in making the show a reality were ARTS House, the Dean of Students Office, LGBT Allies, Music & Culture House, Schaffer Library, Seneca House, the Sociology Department, Spectrum and UNITAS.

“We hope the show will provoke conversation at Union beyond its installation.” said Seymour.

Posted on Apr 1, 2008

David J. Breazzano, co-founder and principal of an investment management firm, has given an additional $2 million to his alma mater, College officials announced today.

The gift, which follows his 2007 contribution of the same amount, was used to support recent renovations to the fitness center. In honor of the unrestricted gift, the College will rename the facility in historic Alumni Gymnasium the Breazzano Fitness Center. The center will officially be dedicated May 30 as part of ReUnion weekend.

When renovations were completed in March 2006, the 12,000-square-foot fitness center tripled the size of the former facility. It now features an upper level – site of the former basketball court – with more than 40 pieces of cardio equipment (treadmills, elliptical trainers, bikes and steppers) and 20 stations of modular weight training equipment.

The lower level includes dumbbells, rack/platform stations and plate-loaded and utility stations. It also has a dance and aerobics room, offices for athletics staff and upgraded locker rooms. Both levels are equipped with custom audio and video systems with plasma televisions.

“Dave’s generosity has allowed us to provide the entire campus community with a state of the art fitness center,” said Athletic Director Jim McLaughlin. “We are extremely grateful for his loyal support of this initiative.”

Breazzano, who grew up in Edinburg, N.Y., is a 1978 graduate of the College. He was president and treasurer of Phi Sigma Kappa and also involved in intramural sports, radio station WRUC and the Interfraternity Council.

He earned a B.A. in political science and economics, and an MBA in finance and accounting from Cornell University. In 1996, Breazzano and two partners founded DDJ Capital Management, which specializes in high yield and distressed oriented hedge funds and private partnerships. The Waltham, Mass., firm manages more than $3 billion on behalf of  80 institutional clients.

Breazzano has three sons, including Jeremy, a 2007 graduate of Union, and Matthew, a member of Union’s Class of 2011. He described his 30^th ReUnion as a “significant milestone” and said he was looking forward to the dedication of the fitness center.

“I am very impressed with the renovations,” said Breazzano. “This is something of which the Union community can be very proud. I am hopeful the fitness center will contribute to good exercise habits on the part of our campus community.”

Last year, Orange House was renamed Breazzano House in honor of another $2 million gift. Breazzano, a member of the College’s Board of Trustees, also has helped support presidential scholarships and the expansion of Schaffer Library.

“Our students, faculty, staff and trustees share a deep sense of gratitude to Dave and his family for their extraordinary generosity through the years,” said President Stephen C. Ainlay. “Their gifts have provided the College with the resources it needs to enrich the academic and physical well-being of all those who are part of our campus community.”

Breazzano’s gifts come during the College’s $200 million “You are Union” campaign, which has raised nearly $140 million to date.